Manchester United full back Rafael has joined Lyon in a deal worth up to £2.5m.
The Brazilian, who had a year left on his existing contract, had been left out of United’s tour of the USA and was told he could leave Old Trafford after the signing of Italian right back Matteo Darmian earlier in the summer.
Rafael da Silva arrived as a teenager at Manchester United in 2007 with his twin brother Fabio and became a first team regular under Sir Alex Ferguson but had been increasingly overlooked by current United manager Louis Van Gaal last season.
Fabio had left for Cardiff City in January 2014 and Van Gaal has been ruthless in reshaping United’s squad since his arrival in the summer of 2014.
I want to thank Manchester United fans for all the love during those 8 years. pic.twitter.com/1YBVEorKZq
— Rafael da Silva (@orafa2) August 3, 2015
Since I signed with the club I lived incredible moments, after all were 8 years wearing the shirt of one of the biggest clubs of the world.
— Rafael da Silva (@orafa2) August 3, 2015
Thank you @ManUtd FC. I also want to thank all employees who always treated me with great affection and gave me greater attention.
— Rafael da Silva (@orafa2) August 3, 2015
Rafael tweeted effusively over his affection for the club, its fans, and for his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
He said: “Thank you Sir Alex for always believing in my work and for all the doors that you opened up for me.”
Rafael could be followed out of Old Trafford by Victor Valdes, who has been made available by Louis Van Gaal after apparently refusing to play in a friendly, while David De Gea has been openly courted by Real Madrid all summer and could still seal a deal to move to the Bernabeu after weeks of uncertainty.
Van Gaal has already moved to strengthen United’s goalkeeping department by signing Argentina national goalkeeper Sergio Romero from Sampdoria.
Romero, 28, has signed a three year deal with the option of a fourth, and could find himself United’s senior goalkeeper if De Gea leaves.
Romero said: “I am absolutely delighted to join Manchester United. To play for the biggest club in the world is a dream come true for me. Louis van Gaal is a fantastic manager and I cannot wait to get started on this new and exciting challenge in my career.”